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“Remember that You are Dust…”
Ash Wednesday (Reflection I)
Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Joel 2:12–13
Today, as we go forward in procession at Mass to be marked with ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” Alternatively, the minister may say, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” What humbling words to hear.
Do you desire to be humble? From a worldly perspective, humility is rarely esteemed as a virtue. However, those who are truly humble have a radiance that emanates from their souls. Even those who are deeply worldly often recognize the beauty of authentic humility. Among all the virtues we are called to cultivate, faith, hope, and charity are the greatest. No other virtue helps us grow in these three as effectively as humility.
Humility is nothing other than seeing ourselves from God’s perspective and embracing that truth. It allows us to shed false personas, along with any elevated or distorted images we might have of ourselves. In humility, we come to know who we truly are and live as God created us to be. Humility is the virtue of truth and integrity—seeing ourselves as we are in the mind of God and becoming that person.
Imagine being able to look at your life and fully understand it in the way God does. This is the essence of humility. Moreover, humility enables us to embrace God’s will, as it opens our eyes to the wisdom of His divine plan. It frees us from the deceptive desires that promise only fleeting happiness, dispels the fears that arise from believing lies, and reorders our desires so that we want only what God wills for us.
The Scripture passage from the Prophet Joel is a powerful call to make this Lent a time of humility, repentance, penance, and transformation. As we are reminded of our mortality—“you are dust, and to dust you will return”—we are invited to adopt an eternal perspective, rather than a limited earthly one. Too often, we are tempted to live for the moment, to satisfy every craving, and to enjoy all that this world offers. Humility helps us turn our gaze away from passing earthly pleasures and focus on Heaven and eternal life.
Lent is a time to return to the Lord with our whole hearts, “with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.” Fasting and penance are necessary to ensure that earthly desires do not dominate our ambitions. We must weep and mourn as we confront our sins, addictions, and worldly attachments that promise only fleeting satisfaction. Yet, God is a God of infinite mercy, “slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” His justice rightly punishes those who reject His mercy, but when we shed pride, sin, and worldliness, His mercy fulfills all justice and He withholds His punishment.
As we begin our Lenten journey, reflect today on the words of the Prophet Joel as if they were spoken directly to you: “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart…” Do not let this Lent pass you by. Enter it with a wholehearted commitment. “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Face your soul with humility and confidence in God’s mercy. Identify your sins, turn from them, do penance, pray, and seek holiness. If you do, God, in His great mercy, will transform your life in ways beyond your imagination.
My merciful Lord, I repent of my sins with my whole heart and beg for the gift of humility so that I may see myself as You see me and change in the ways that You desire. I commit myself to You entirely and ask for Your abundant mercy this Lent. May I keep my eyes on Heaven and live for You alone. Jesus, I trust in You.
Praying this Lent
Ash Wednesday (Reflection II)
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:5–6
How do you pray? Many people say grace before meals, offer prayers before bed, attend Sunday Mass, and utter a quick prayer occasionally during the day. But is this all our Lord desires of us? Certainly not. Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian life and must permeate everything we do and all that we are.
There are two key attributes of a transformative prayer life—quantity and quality. Though offering brief prayers throughout the day is good, this alone is not enough to draw us into a deep, transforming union with God. In addition to these moments, we need daily periods of deeper extended prayer.
This deeper prayer is what draws us into the “inner room” our Lord speaks of in today’s Gospel. Too often, we allow noise, distractions, and constant stimulation to bombard our minds, drowning out God’s gentle voice. The goal of daily prayer is to silence these distractions within our souls, so that we can listen to God and meet Him within the depths of our being. Entering that inner room is no small task—it requires time, discipline, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.
Do you want to grow deeper in love with the Lord? Be honest. Many people are more attached to worldly things—hobbies, entertainment, and passing pleasures. What about you? Are you interested in growing closer to God? If so, there is only one way to begin: by entering the inner room of your soul and meeting Him there.
Jesus doesn’t tell us to “pray to your Father in secret” because we should be ashamed of our relationship with God or keep the fruits of prayer hidden. Rather, secret prayer is authentic prayer. It is not about outward displays, cultural expectations, or family customs. True prayer is about real union with God—a transformative union that touches the very core of your being. It is the kind of prayer that changes you, guides you, and gives great glory to God.
One of the best ways to engage in this deeper authentic prayer is to set aside an extended period of time every day. It’s easy to make excuses. Some might feel it’s unnecessary, or they might have tried before and become discouraged by distractions or boredom. Others simply don’t know how to pray. If this sounds like you, then perhaps your Lenten sacrifice is staring you in the face: Dedicate yourself to prayer.
This Lent, consider committing to daily periods of quiet, uninterrupted prayer. Find a peaceful place where you won’t be disturbed. Begin with the Gospels. Read them slowly and thoughtfully; then close your eyes and meditate on the scene. Place yourself within the Gospel, imagine what our Lord did, listen to what He says, and hear those words as they are spoken to you.
Additionally, you might explore other forms of devotional prayer. Pray the Rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Reflect on traditional prayers, reciting them slowly and intentionally. Spend time in silence, expressing your love for God and inviting Him into your life. Speak to Him as your most beloved Friend and Savior, surrendering to Him all your concerns and all that you are.
As we begin this holy season of Lent, reflect today on the “inner room” of your soul. Christ dwells there by grace, but we often fail to meet Him there. Resolve to enter deeper into that sacred space through extended, undistracted prayer. Persist, even through difficulty and distraction, and allow this time of prayer to transform your life this Lent.
My hidden Lord, You dwell deep within me, but I often live more in the world than with You. Help me this Lent to escape the noise and distractions so I can learn to hear Your voice and respond with generosity. Teach me to pray more deeply, dear Lord, so that You may fully transform me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Mystical and Secret Union with God
Ash Wednesday (Reflection III)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father…when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:1, 6
Why do I do the things I do? What is my deepest motivation in life? As we begin the season of Lent this Ash Wednesday, Jesus addresses this essential question. Three times in today’s Gospel, He points us to the only motivation we should have: “And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
The most fundamental motivation for everything we do should be to receive the grace that flows from our secret encounters with God. God does not “repay” us with material success, worldly accolades, or good health. Rather, His reward is the outpouring of grace. In those encounters, as we know God better and His love for us more, we grow in love for Him. The deeper and more hidden our communion with Him in the “inner room” of our hearts is, the greater the grace we receive.
Why does God wish to communicate with us in secret? Saint John of the Cross offers insight into this in his poem, “The Dark Night of the Soul”:
On a dark night,
Kindled in love with yearnings
—oh, happy chance!—
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.In darkness and secure,
By the secret ladder, disguised…
Saint John’s commentary on this poem, found in his spiritual masterpieces Ascent of Mount Carmel and Dark Night of the Soul, illuminates the meaning of this “secret ladder.” Reflecting briefly on the idea of this “secret ladder” is helpful as we enter into Lent.
Authentic communion with God is mysterious, intimate, and transformative. It takes place within the depths of our souls, in a manner that is beyond our full understanding. God, who is infinitely beyond our comprehension, invites us to ascend to Him, to be transformed by Him, and to live in Him, just as He lives in us.
The “secret” nature of this communion doesn’t mean that we hide what God has done in our lives. On the contrary, when a soul is transformed by an encounter with God, others will notice. But the difference is that this transformation is not done for show or to earn human praise. True prayer is not about appearing holy but about a deep interior encounter with God that shapes everything we are and do. As we ascend this secret ladder to God, He draws near to us. This mystical ascent is not something we fully comprehend—it is a transformative mystery that gradually consumes our entire being.
Returning to the original question: “Why do I do the things I do? What is my deepest motivation in life?” The ideal answer is: “My interior union with God, in the secret depths of my soul, is the foundation of my life and the source of everything I do.” We don’t pray to look pious or impress others; we pray to meet God, to be transformed by Him, and to become His instruments in the world.
As we begin Lent, reflect today on the call to enter into a deeper and more hidden communion with God. Respond to this invitation with openness. Climb the secret ladder of grace out of pure love for God. Allow Him to transform you in the quiet solitude of your heart’s inner room, where no eye but His can see.
My hidden Lord, You call me to ascend the secret ladder of grace, to meet You within the depths of my soul. Help me to respond to this invitation with love, and allow my prayer this Lent to be a time of deep transformation. Jesus, I trust in You.
Take Up the Cross This Lent
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” Luke 9:23–25
Today’s Gospel presents us with one of the great paradoxes of our faith: the only way to save one’s life is to lose it by taking up Christ’s Cross and following Him. This truth defies human reason; we can only fully grasp it through divine revelation. The wisdom of the Cross is hidden and transformative, revealing a deeper reality that our natural instincts might miss.
Imagine gaining the whole world. What would that look like? From a secular perspective, it could mean possessing immense wealth, enjoying complete freedom, acquiring fame, and holding worldly power. Is it possible to attain all that the world offers and still save your soul? What if you were charitable, giving ten percent to the poor? What if you lived in luxury without being attached to it? Is that truly feasible?
Though some might convince themselves it is, Jesus’ life teaches us otherwise. He wasn’t wealthy by worldly standards. He had no earthly power in the conventional sense. He didn’t seek comfort or luxury. His singular focus was the salvation of souls, and He lived that mission fully.
This raises another question: Was Jesus happy in this life? His earthly existence was marked by hardship. He was born in a cave, escaped Herod’s attempt on His life as an infant, and likely lost Saint Joseph at a young age. He endured 40 days of intense temptation by satan, was rejected by His own people in Nazareth, and, though loved by many, He was hated by others. Ultimately, He was betrayed, unjustly condemned, beaten, and crucified.
Is that happiness? Not in a worldly sense. But Jesus’ happiness was in doing the will of His Father. This obedience, this perfect fulfillment of His divine mission, brought a happiness beyond our human comprehension—a deep, abiding joy rooted in perfect love and surrender to God’s plan.
As we begin Lent, a good question to ask ourselves is: “Am I happy?” Many people struggle with this question. Like our Lord, we endure trials, suffering, and disappointment. Jesus wasn’t exempt from these; He faced the full range of human experience. He likely faced rejection as a boy because He was different. He knew the sorrow of losing loved ones and faced the daily demands of work to help support His family.
In the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man—the Son of God intimately shares in every human suffering. He understands our struggles and sorrows firsthand. This is why Jesus can look at us with compassion and say, “I understand.” He is not only divine and transcendent, He is also intimately close, having lived through the very trials we face.
It is this reality that makes His words in today’s Gospel so powerful: “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” The Cross is the roadmap to true happiness. Our human nature might seek to avoid suffering, but Jesus invites us to embrace it with grace, uniting it with His own suffering. Through the Cross, we find victory and fulfillment in ways that our natural reasoning could never grasp.
Reflect today on the wisdom of the Cross. Human reason alone will never fully comprehend it or accept it as the path to happiness. Let God’s truth elevate your mind to see beyond the false promises of the world. Embrace the Cross with trust, knowing that it is the gateway to true joy, peace, and eternal life.
My wise Lord, too often I rely on my limited understanding, trying to find happiness through worldly means. Grant me Your gift of wisdom so I may see the glory of the Cross and the sacrifices to which You call me. Help me take up my Cross daily and follow You, trusting that it is the true path to the fulfillment I seek. Jesus, I trust in You.
Seeking to Understand
Friday after Ash Wednesday
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:14–15
Fasting is an essential spiritual discipline. It signifies humility, repentance, and a sincere turning toward God, while also strengthening the virtue of temperance. This enables us to overcome inordinate desires for food, drink, and other appetites of the flesh. Given its significance, John the Baptist’s disciples were surprised to see that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting. They approached Jesus with a genuine question, seeking to understand. Jesus responded with a profound truth, explaining why fasting was not yet necessary for His disciples.
In His rhetorical reply, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus identifies Himself as the Bridegroom whose presence brings joy and celebration. While He was with them, fasting was not needed. However, Jesus makes it clear that a time will come when the Bridegroom will be “taken away”—referring to His Passion and death—and at that time, fasting would be essential as His disciples take up their own crosses to follow Him.
This passage not only teaches us about fasting, it also offers insight into how we should respond to both spiritual consolations and times of dryness in prayer. When we experience God’s closeness, we should respond with gratitude and joyful praise. However, when those consolations fade, God invites us to enter into a deeper spiritual journey—through fasting, increased prayer, and penance. God often gives us moments of consolation to prepare us for the more challenging periods when our faith is deepened and purified. Thus, we should savor the joyful moments but embrace the difficult ones as opportunities for even greater spiritual growth.
It’s also important to note the disposition of John’s disciples in this Gospel. Unlike the Pharisees who often questioned Jesus with malicious intent, John’s disciples came in humility with a sincere desire to understand. They were not trying to trap Jesus or find fault with Him; they genuinely sought clarity. John had already pointed them to Jesus, identifying Him as the Lamb of God. When they noticed a difference in practice—that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting—it was difficult for them to reconcile that with their own spiritual customs. Rather than doubting or criticizing, they approached Jesus openly, and He responded to them with gentle instruction.
This teaches us a vital lesson: We must approach God—and others—with humility and openness, especially when we are confused or in conflict. When misunderstandings or disagreements arise, it’s easy to condemn or judge, but doing so is a lack of of humility and rarely leads to peace or reconciliation. Like John’s disciples, we must always seek to understand, especially in matters of faith.
In our relationship with God, this humble disposition is essential. When things don’t go as we expect, we can become frustrated, even feeling abandoned by God. In such moments, it’s tempting to distance ourselves from Him or rely on our own understanding. However, any conflict or confusion we experience in our spiritual lives is never because God is distant or indifferent. It is often our sin, lack of trust, or misunderstanding that clouds our judgment. God’s will is always perfect, and we must approach Him with faith, knowing that He never abandons us.
Reflect today on the example of John’s disciples who approached Jesus with a heart open to understanding. Use their example in your own life, especially when you experience confusion or conflict—whether with God or others. Embrace humility and openness, and you will be granted the grace of understanding and peace.
My perfect Lord, You are always present to me, always attentive, and always leading me into Your perfect will. When I become confused, grant me the graces of humility and openness, so that I may seek Your will and come to know Your way. Help me to approach others with the same humility and charity, free from judgment and harshness, so that Your peace may reign. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Great Banquet
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. Luke 5:27–29
Levi’s life changed in an instant. He encountered the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and in response to Jesus’ simple yet profound invitation—“Follow me”—Levi left everything behind and followed Him. This radical decision offers an inspiring witness as we begin our Lenten journeys.
Christ’s call is often twofold. Even those baptized as infants must eventually hear and respond to that call for themselves. There comes a moment after the age of reason when those raised in the faith must choose whether to embrace the call to follow Jesus. For those who did not encounter Christ in their youth or who might have strayed from Him, the call is ever-present, continuously offered by God. Like Levi, once that invitation is heard and internalized, it demands a response—a radical choice to follow Him. And with that choice, life is never the same.
When Levi accepted Jesus’ invitation, his life underwent a complete transformation. He “left everything behind.” While his career as a tax collector was financially lucrative, it likely left him spiritually empty. Tax collectors were viewed with disdain by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman oppressors and often took more than what was owed for their own profit. This position, though offering wealth, created a life of moral compromise, guilt, and isolation. It was into this interior emptiness that Jesus entered. Levi, touched by an intuitive grace, recognized that abandoning everything and following Christ was the answer to his deepest longings.
Have you heard Christ’s call in your own life? Have you abandoned everything that stands in the way of fully following Him? This question is especially significant for those who were raised in the faith. While being baptized as a child and growing up in the Church is a great gift, it does not automatically mean that we have internalized the faith or personally responded to Jesus’ invitation. Have you truly heard Jesus call you? Have you left behind everything that hinders your complete “Yes” to Him?
Levi’s transformation didn’t stop with his “Yes.” He wanted to share his newfound joy and faith with others. Levi hosted a “great banquet” for Jesus in his home, inviting a large group of tax collectors and others to meet the One who had changed his life. His encounter with Christ was so profound and life-giving that he couldn’t keep it to himself—he wanted others, especially those whom he knew were also spiritually empty, to encounter the same transformative love.
If you have responded to Jesus’ call and given your life to Him, your heart will naturally burn with a desire to share that joy with others. As you look at your family, friends, and acquaintances, do you see the same restlessness or emptiness that once filled your heart? How might God be calling you to invite them to encounter Christ? Perhaps, like Levi, you are called to “host a banquet” in your own way, sharing the Good News with those who need it most.
Reflect today on Levi’s conversion and see your own life in his story. Recognize the restlessness within your heart and listen for Jesus’ call. Identify Him as the answer to your deepest desires. Say “Yes” to His invitation, abandoning everything that competes with His will, and share the treasure of your faith with others. Embracing this twofold path is one of the best ways to ensure a truly fruitful Lent.
My inviting Lord, You call to me each day, yet I often fail to listen. Help me to hear Your voice more clearly this Lent and to respond with all my heart. I choose to leave behind all that stands in the way of following You, and I pray that You will use me to invite others to Your heavenly banquet. Jesus, I trust in You.
All 4 volumes are available in paperback & eBook format!
Amazon – Google Play – iTunes – Barnes and Noble – and more!
